PhD Research Fellow in Computer Science (Verdione project), The University of Tromsø, Norway

Application deadline: 21 August 2009

The following reference number must be quoted in your application: 2009/4623.

The University of Tromsø has a research fellow position in Computer Science (Verdione project) vacant for applicants who would like to complete a Ph.D. degree in computer science.

The period of appointment is three years.

The University of Tromsø and Tromsø University College have merged, and from 1 August 2009 the Faculty of Science and Technology will consist of the following departments: Department of Physics and Technology, Department of Geology, Department of Computer Science, Department of Chemistry, Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Department of Engineering and Safety.

The position is organized under the Department of Computer Science. The research activities at the Department of Computer Science are primarily in system aspects of distributed and parallel systems.

The position is connected to the Verdione (Virtually Enhanced Real-life synchronizeD Interaction - ON the Edge) project. Verdione targets cooperative applications that merge virtual elements into the real world. The main application domain is the World Opera (WOP). The ultimate goal is for users, including musicians, actors, singers and spectators, to become immersed in a virtual reality that includes their local environment, and where users’ arbitrary actions can be disseminated to their remote communication partners.

The Ph.D. project will focus on merging physical and virtual realities. Artists and the audience at one location must blend with the other participating locations into a coherent presentation, merging the local physical reality with the visualization of the remote locations. The research is systems oriented where systems are designed, implemented and experimented upon.

Verdione is 4 year research project funded by the Norwegian research council. The project has several Norwegian and international cooperation partners, including Simula, University of Tromsø, University of Oslo, Telenor R&I and LIVIDI, and through the World Opera consortium, McGill University, Stanford University, New York University, and the opera institutions (companies/academies) in Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Malmø, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Milano.

The employer will be the University of Tromsø. The working place will primarily be at the Department of Computer Science, High Performance Distributed Computing group. There will be close cooperation with other Verdione-scholars and artists at the Academy of Music, Faculty of the Arts, and the World Opera.

The successful applicant must document knowledge and proficiency in Computer Science at Master’s level. A Master’s degree in architecture, computer science, design, media studies, interactive media and similar fields are beneficiary. Further, the successful applicant must fulfill the requirements for admission to the faculty’s Ph.D. programme in Science (Computer science), cf. Section 5 (Chapter II) of Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (Ph.D.) at The University of Tromsø, http://uit.no/forsknavd/ph.d.-forskrift/1 and the faculty’s supplementary regulations.

The applicant should have a solid background in and experience with distributed and parallel systems, display walls, device-free multi-user interfaces and be able to build working prototypes. Experience developing and experimenting with interfaces for specific application domains, and in particular for artistic purposes, is interesting.

The PhD study is standardized to three years and the period of appointment is equivalent. A shorter period of appointment may be given if the research fellow has already completed parts of his/her researcher’s education, or when previous appointments to educational positions (research fellow, research assistant or equivalent) are counted as part of the duration of the research fellowship, so as the combined duration of the researcher’s education is three years.

Remuneration is in accordance with the State wage scale code 1017, pay grade 45, approximately NOK 355 600 per annum. A compulsory contribution of 2 % is made to the Norwegian State Pension Fund.

For applications for appointment, a description outlining the academic basis of the doctoral degree project is to be put forward. The successful candidate must apply separately for admission to the PhD study as quickly as possible after appointment and no later than one month after commencement. Admission to the doctoral degree programme must be obtained within two months at the latest after commencement and a final plan for the researcher education must be approved and regulated by contract. The plan is to state who is responsible for providing academic supervision. Admission to the doctoral degree programme is a prerequisite for appointment to research fellowships. If an admission contract has not been signed by the deadline, as stated in the work contract, the employer may consider cancelling the work contract, cf. Section 1-3 (8) in Regulations for conditions of appointment to post doctoral positions, research fellowships, research assistants and specialist candidates: http://www.lovdata.no/for/sf/kd/kd-20060131-0102.html

Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The main emphasis of the assessment will be on the applicant’s potential for research as is evident from:

* Master’s thesis or equivalent
* Other scientific work
* Project description

In addition, work experience and other activities of significance for the implementation of the doctoral degree programme and possible teaching qualifications may be taken into consideration. Administration and organizational experience will be viewed favorably.

Information and material to be considered must be submitted by the deadline for applications.

Applicants must submit a list of all their scientific work including details of possible publication.

For further information, please contact: Professor Otto J. Anshus, phone + 47 77644038 or +47 91573265, otto[ at ]cs.uit.no

The application is to be submitted electronically on the application form available at https://secure.jobbnorge.no/visstilling2.aspx?stillid=59675 .

In addition, the application, including CV, certified copies of diplomas and references and the list of scientific works, are to be sent in five copies by the closing date for applications, directly to:

Faculty of Science and Technology
University of Tromsø
NO-9037 TROMSØ
NORWAY

THE SCIENTIFIC WORK – published or unpublished – the applicant wishes to be taken into consideration during the evaluation process must be submitted in three copies arranged as three complete sets to the above mentioned address by the closing date for applications.

All documentation that is to be evaluated must be certified and translated into English or a Scandinavian language.

Applicants shall also refer to Supplementary regulations for appointment to elementary positions (research fellows) at the University of Tromsø (in Norwegian only) and Regulations for conditions of employment to post doctoral research fellow positions, research fellow positions, research assistant positions and specialist candidate positions, http://uit.no/persok/arbeidsforhold/6 .

Questions concerning the organization of the working environment, such as the physical state of the place of employment, health service, possibility for flexible working hours, part time, etc. as well as questions concerning the Ph.D. study may be directed to the telephone reference. According to personnel policy objectives that the staff shall reflect the composition of the population in general, both with respect to gender and cultural multiplicity, women and persons with a minority ethnic background in particular are encouraged to apply.

The University of Tromsø is an Inclusive Workplace enterprise, and will try to adapt the working conditions for employees with impaired capacity.